It is well-known that the Indians are looking for starting pitching as the July 31 trade deadline draws closer, but they weren’t willing to part with third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall for Cubs starter Matt Garza, reports Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Chisenhall, still just 24 years old, has had an up-and-down year, spending a month with Triple-A Columbus between May 14 and June 16 where he dominated opposing pitching. In 183 plate appearances in the Majors this year, he has posted a .708 OPS. He was one of the top prospects in baseball in 2010 and 2011 and the team thinks he still has plenty of time and ability to figure things out.

The Rangers and Cubs were reportedly close to a Garza swap yesterday, but negotiations hit a snag. Reports still indicate the two sides are very close on an agreement, but the Cubs are still shopping Garza around to other suitors in the meantime. Garza is scheduled to make his next start on July 22 against the Diamondbacks, but he is expected to have a new set of laundry by then.

The Indians would only get Garza for 2 months, 10 games IF healthy(unlikely). Chisinhall is a much better prospect than you give him credit for. 24 yrs old, cheap, and starting to shows signs of why he is still one the the top 3b prospects in the game today. No way would Garza be the ace of the staff anyway, let alone “the undisputed ace”. Chris Antonelli is way to smart to make that deal right now. no way, not a chance. Maybe if Garza would be signed to a 2 or 3 yr. extension.

furryroadkill - Jul 21, 2013 at 2:45 AM

“Undisputed ace of that awful staff?”

Try looking at some stats or records before typing something that stupid. The starters haven’t been great by any stretch of the imagination, but they’ve been more than servicable except for a terrible one week stretch. Haven’t seen too many “awful staffs” that have 12 shut outs before the ASB. The bullpen on the other hand has been pretty bad as of late which is what was supposed to be the strongest part of the team. The only reason Clev is still in the race is because of their starting pitching and Detroit’s pen being just as bad as Clev’s.

yahmule - Jul 21, 2013 at 11:31 AM

You’ve got five number four starters that lead the major leagues in walks. A few of them have pitched over their heads for half a season. That will be something for you to cling to during the inevitable second half collapse.

furryroadkill - Jul 21, 2013 at 3:54 PM

Sure, I’ve seen tons of #4 starters get selected to the all star team. I’m definitely not saying this is the 1971 Orioles staff, but the starters are a lot better than what most think. I wouldn’t complain about seeing Garza in the rotation to replace Jimenez, but if you look at his career numbers he’s nothing more than a #3. Would be a waste to give up Chisenhall for 10 or 11 starts. Chisenhall in the last month-.871 OPS .294 BA 3 HR 14 RBI. Maybe he will end up being another Matt LaPorta, but it seems like he’s figured it out since coming back from Columbus…besides there really isn’t anyone to stick in there on a full time basis.

you underestimate the value of a 24 yr old major league ready 3b, for the price of a (oft injured) sp who you would rent for 60 days. GM’s are alot smarter than you think.

yahmule - Jul 21, 2013 at 11:40 AM

I guess an OBP of under .300 qualifies as an MLB ready third baseman in Cleveland.

That “oft injured” SP made at least 30 starts from 2008 to 2011. The guy is 29 years old. Why does he have to be a rental? If Theo could lavish a bunch of money on Steve Swisher’s idiot kid, he could find some money for your new staff ace.

Garza is a number 3 pitcher even in the tribes rotation. Masterson Kluber and possibly Mcallister are all better than Matt garza, and garza is nothing but a rental and they may or may not even see October. Much better off going after gallardo garza is nothing but a rental and chisenhall is under team control until 2016. It would be a terrible trade, probably right up there with ubaldo

Garza is much better than average pitcher, he is a legit 2nd or 3rd SP in z rotation. And to say he is injury prone us also unfair, last year was the first time in his career that he missed significant time due to injury. Garza is clearly the best SP available this year.

i agree that is better than average, and maybe the best sp available right now, but the arguement that he is prone to injuries is legit. It matters not what he has done throughout his career(for any team looking to get him), it’s the last 12 months that give indication to his health, and by only pitching in 11 games in the last year due to injury, any team looking to aquire him will certainly make that their biggest concern, let alone that he is only a 2 month rental. The Cubs have made it clear that they want a major league ready 3b in return, and you can’t blame epstein for aiming at chisinhall. I’m sure the indians are offering Reynolds, and possibly a younger pitcher in chisinhall’s place,